Rowing, bike and swimming comparisons

[Sandy]

Hello all,

We have a number of rowers in our shed who have a number of back issues and find long distance ergos do more harm then good for them I was wondering what the comparisons for a ½ hour ergo compared to swimming and or bike riding distances/laps may be for those members.

Thank you for your time

[jamesg]

They can all be quite fun, so we go as far as we like. It's best to learn how tho', drowning or falling off a bike can be worse than a little backache.

What drag are they working at on the erg?

[Sandy]

Hi jamesg and thanks for your reply.

The drag factor we are working on is around 115-125.

[hjs]

Hello all,

We have a number of rowers in our shed who have a number of back issues and find long distance ergos do more harm then good for them I was wondering what the comparisons for a ½ hour ergo compared to swimming and or bike riding distances/laps may be for those members.

Thank you for your time

Cycling is only legs, swimming is much more alround.

30 min is btw not considered long. If someones has backtrouble, it would be wise to get to know the cause. A healthy back should be able to erg painfree. Technique? Weak body parts?

[jamesg]

Drag 115-125 should mean you know what you're doing, so back problems are all the more surprising. My back problems caused by desks and cars were cured the first time I used the erg.

What level are your people at? 30 minutes is not a lot, if alone. Who controls technique? Do they go afloat?

Moving to freestyle swimming to get a good workout is not automatic. In freestyle the main work comes from the shoulders and it can be tough to start with. I swim every summer, already fit from the erg, but it takes me a week to get shoulders working and so go even half a mile and a month to get to 2-3 km, 40-60 minutes. Real swimmers go 6-8 km per day in less than two hours.

Cycling looks easier, and hills don't need much explanation. Two hours climbing are fun.. when we come back down again. On a static bike you'll need a real control of power, which doesn't come cheap.